School shapes our views about education and learning. Most of us have been to school and have heard the messages on repeat about the need to pay attention, get top marks, and pass exams. It is culturally part of our society, governs our days and family life, and for the most part is our only experience of education. School was built and designed for a reason and there have always been signs that school isn’t for everyone. Children up and down the country are telling us that school is stressful, and irrelevant, and parents are questioning behavioural policies and the developmental appropriateness of some of school’s requirements. It doesn’t change the fact that choosing to do something different, to take full responsibility for your child’s education, is a big decision. Chapter One starts at the beginning: why does school exist? how can you know that school isn’t for your child? And is it possible for you to do something different?

My book, School isn’t for Everyone (and what you can do instead,) is a book that opens up the world of self-directed education and unschooling to parents. It combines theory and practice whilst being grounded in the reality of being with your child day in and day out. It addresses the key concerns and questions that parents have when they first discover unschooling and at the same time provides the tools that are needed for parents to begin following this approach at home. Ultimately it leaves parents confident in their own abilities to educate their children in a way that (I believe) is quite magical.

When parents begin to look at their options and they discover home education then a door opens into another world. A whole world of possibilities, and one of those is unschooling, a way of living and learning together as a family without the influence of school.

Heidi Steel is joined by Esther Jones in this episode of Unschooling Conversations—author, mindfulness teacher, and unschooling parent—to explore the transformative journey of unschooling, both for children and parents.

Together, they discuss Esther’s new book, The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself: A Mindful Guide to Embracing a New Way of Living and Learning with Your Child, and share candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of stepping outside the mainstream education system.

Chit chat circles around:

• Esther’s personal journey from traditional schooling to unschooling and how it shaped her family’s life

• The emotional and psychological challenges parents face when choosing unschooling

• Strategies for balancing self-care, personal hobbies, and the demands of parenting

• The importance of self-compassion and mindful presence in the unschooling process

• How unschooling fosters deep personal growth, self-awareness, and healing for parents

• The role of community and connection in sustaining the unschooling journey

• Practical tips for creating a supportive home environment and modelling healthy habits for children

• Insights from Esther’s book and her work with unschooling families

Resources Mentioned:

• Esther’s website: esther-jones.com – Find her book, blog, podcast, and more

• The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself (available on Amazon and from publisher Jessica Kingsley)

• Heidi’s community and resources for unschooling families: liveplaylearn.org

• Esther’s podcast: The Unschool Space

  
  

Guest information:

Esther Jones is an unschooling mother of three, founder of the The Unschool Space podcast and author of the recently published The Parent’s Handbook to Unschooling Yourself. Esther was led into unschooling by her children, who have helped her unravel years of conditioned beliefs around parenting, children, learning and neurodiversity. Today, she supports other parents in transforming their mindset and building a life beyond traditional schooling in which their children and themselves can thrive, using mindfulness and self-compassion as the foundation tools for change.

You can find all her work at www.esther-jones.com

Whether you’re new to unschooling or a seasoned home educator, this episode offers heartfelt wisdom, practical advice, and inspiration for embracing a more mindful, compassionate approach to parenting and learning. Listen now and join the conversation!

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In this episode of "Unschooling Conversations," Heidi Steel is joined by clinical psychologist and author Naomi Fisher to explore the topic of burnout in children, particularly those moving beyond school and exploring unschooling approaches. Together, they discuss:

• What burnout looks like in children and how it differs from adult experiences.

• Early warning signs, such as loss of curiosity, flatness, and withdrawal.

• The factors that contribute to burnout, including individual temperament, life events, and school environment.

• The importance of removing pressure and creating a nurturing, low-stress home environment for recovery.

• Practical strategies for parents, including relationship repair, being present, and gently reintroducing opportunities for curiosity and engagement.

• The non-linear nature of recovery and recognising the signs that things are changing.

• The value of community support and sharing experiences with others.

Naomi also shares insights from her new book, "The Teenager’s Guide to Burnout," and both hosts reflect on their personal journeys and the unique opportunities unschooling families have to support healing and growth. The episode offers hope, practical advice, and reassurance that recovery from burnout is possible, with an emphasis on patience, empathy, and trust in the process.

Connect with Naomi

Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, author and speaker specialising in parenting, mental health issues in children, autism and trauma.

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Connect with Heidi and discover the blog, courses and the Unschooling Village Hub at http://liveplaylearn.org

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Tune in for insight, practical tips, and encouragement.

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a like, and share.

Today I'm chatting with Melissa Crockett-Joyoue from New Zealand. Melissa and her partner have two neurodivergent children and they came to unschooling after their son had an extremely challenging time at school. She co-hosts the Unschooling Summit and holds the Weave online community for unschooling parents of neurodivergent children.

In this episode, we have an honest and heartfelt conversation about the realities of unschooling—especially for neurodivergent families. Together, we share our personal journeys, the challenges of leaving traditional education, and the pivotal role that community and connection play in supporting both parents and children.

Topics discussed include:

• Why traditional schooling doesn’t work for every child, particularly those who are neurodivergent

• The emotional and practical challenges of transitioning to unschooling

• The importance of building flexible, inclusive support networks—both online and offline

• How self-care and parental well-being are essential for family thriving

• Practical tips for finding connection, support, and resources as an unschooling family

Whether you’re considering unschooling, already on the journey, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and a wealth of lived experience.

Connect with Melissa and learn more about the Weave community:

https://www.instagram.com/weave_nd

https://www.instagram.com/mama.weaves

Connect with Heidi and discover the blog, courses and the Unschooling Village Hub at liveplaylearn.org

Tune in for warmth, empathy, and practical wisdom on creating a path that works for your unique family.

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a like, and share.

Unschooling Conversations Podcast - Episode: Doing Things Differently with Amanda Diekman In this thought provoking episode, I sit down with Amanda Diekman, author of "Low Demand Parenting," for a transformative conversation about radical acceptance, deschooling, and reimagining family dynamics.

You will find:

• The power of radical acceptance in neurodivergent families

• How to drop demands on yourself and your children

• Reframing "challenging" behaviours as valuable communication

• The importance of self-advocacy for both parents and children

What You'll Discover:

• Why productivity doesn't define human worth

• Practical strategies for creating a low-demand family environment

• How to unlearn societal expectations about parenting and learning

• The circular nature of deschooling - how parents and children learn together

About Amanda Diekman: Amanda is a mother of three, living in an intentional community in Durham, North Carolina. She's the author of "Low Demand Parenting" and passionate about supporting neurodivergent families in breaking cycles of burnout and shame.

Connect with Amanda:

http://www.amandadiekman.com/

http://www.instagram.com/lowdemandamanda

http://www.facebook.com/lowdemandamanda

Listener Challenge: This week, practice radical acceptance. Choose one area where you typically place demands on yourself or your children, and instead, approach it with curiosity and compassion.

Join The Unschooling Village Hub: Exploration, witness, and healing for your unschooling journey https://liveplaylearn.org/unschooling-village-hub/

Thank you for listening to Unschooling Conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who might need to hear this message.

In this powerful conversation, Heidi Steel and Alice Bramhill dive deep into the transformative world of self-compassion, unschooling, and neurodivergent family life. They explore how breaking free from traditional educational and societal expectations can lead to more authentic, compassionate living.

Key Highlights:

• The challenges of unschooling neurodivergent children.

• Deconstructing, deschooling, and decolonising societal expectations about education and success.

• Practical strategies for developing self-compassion.

• The importance of curiosity and permission in personal growth.

Guest Bio:

Alice Bramhill - Psychotherapist, mental health nurse, and unschooling parent specialising in neurodivergent can be found at

AliceBramhill.co.uk and on Instagram: @‌AliceBramhill

Top Takeaways:

1. Practice daily self-check-ins

2. Challenge your inner critic

3. Give yourself permission to be curious

4. Recognise that personal growth is non-linear

"The way we show up at home is how we change the world."

Heidi Steel talks with Iris Wong about her unschooling journey, neurodivergence, and supporting children's unique learning experiences.

Highlights:

• Navigating Neurodivergent Unschooling: Challenges traditional educational models that don't support neurodivergent children

• Recognising and Healing from Educational Burnout: Iris's son experienced early school burnout, leading them to unschooling

• Gaming as a Learning Platform: Discusses gaming as a valuable learning and exploration tool

• Executive Functioning and Neurodiversity: Emphasises the importance of validating children's experiences and providing autonomy

Guest Bio: Iris Wong is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD parent, speech therapist, and executive functioning coach from Northern California. She's unschooling two children and brings a compassionate, neurodivergent-affirming perspective to education.

Connect with Iris: https://eftoolkit.com/

Listener Takeaways:

• Education can look different for every child

• Supporting a child's interests is crucial to their learning

• Neurodivergent children need flexible, understanding environments

In this episode of Unschooling Conversations Essie Richards talks about the real journey of unschooling beyond the Instagram moments. Embracing the entire spectrum of experiences is key to a successful education approach and leaning into the complex, nuanced journey that includes both beautiful moments and challenging times.

Key Highlights:

• Exploring the authentic challenges and experiences of unschooling

• Breaking down the myth of constant joy

• Navigating neurodivergence and family learning

  
  

Main Discussion Points:

• Challenging the narrative that unschooling must always be joyful

• Recognising the importance of embracing difficult moments

• Understanding that not every learning experience is Instagram-worthy

• The critical role of supportive unschooling communities

• Sharing real experiences and challenges

• Finding validation through shared experiences

• How ADHD impacts perception and interpretation of learning

• The importance of flexibility and understanding individual learning styles

• Decolonising educational expectations

You can find Essie and her offerings in the following places:

https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingcircle/

https://discocircle.mn.co/https://www.instagram.com/essiejrichards

https://www.essierichardscoach.com/

Unravelling in Unschooling - A Conversation with Makeba Garraway

In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, Heidi Steel and Makeba Garraway explore the concept of "unravelling" - a metaphorical journey of questioning, discovering, and transforming personal beliefs and societal systems.

This episode is accompanied by a sensitivity warning as we discuss the recent shooting and subsequent death of Victor Perez

Key Themes:

1. The Metaphor of Unravelling

• Compared to pulling a thread in a knitted sweater

• Voluntary process of questioning and exploration

• Embracing the messiness of personal growth

1. Professional and Personal Transformations

• Makeba's transition from doctor to full-time unschooling parent

• Challenging traditional career and education narratives

• Discovering personal interests and passions

1. Unschooling and System Questioning

• Challenging educational norms

• Supporting children's autonomy

• Addressing intersectionality in parenting

1. Navigating Cultural and Social Expectations

• Discussing race, neurodiversity, and safety

• Creating safe spaces for children

• Having difficult conversations about systemic challenges

1. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

• Learning to trust intuition

• Valuing internal validation over external expectations

• Embracing continuous learning and change

Takeaways:

• Unraveling is a lifelong, non-linear journey

• Curiosity and compassion are essential

• Community support is crucial in personal transformation

The teenage years are undoubtedly a whole new phase even for unschooling parents. We come equipped with unschooling principles but they take on a whole new meaning as your young people naturally develop, grow, and change in new ways.

Heidi Steel is joined in this episode by Esther Jones from 

Esther Jones | Mindful parenting and learning beyond school to explore unschooling through the teenage years. We share the importance of trusting teenagers' agency and allowing them to take ownership of their learning and future choices. We compare our experiences with guiding teenage children towards independence and self-discovery, while also respecting their limits and autonomy. We discuss the importance of flexibility and adaptability in navigating these paths, and highlight the need to support teenagers in pursuing their interests and passions in ways that they choose and are suitable for them.

2.30 Expectations for unschooling in the teen years

6.30 When your teen meets the wider world and outside expectations.

7.35 Moving naturally towards independence

10.30 Experiencing college as an unschooler

13.01 Different routes and learning pathways

19.04 How can we support our teens who are studying GCSE’s at home

21:40 Always about relationship and open communication

24.00 The challenges that parents of unschooled teens face

28.30 Finding one’s true path in life